Марсианские хроники

           Hecouldhardlybreathe.Hislipswereblue."Youknow,"hesaidasthedoctorplacedastethoscopetohim,"it’sasifIkeptalivealltheseyearsjustforthisday,andnowyou’reheretotakemebacktoEarth,I’msatisfiedandIcanjustliedownandquit."

           "Here."Thedoctorhandedhimayellowpellet."We’dbetterletyourest."

           "Nonsense.Justletmesitamoment.It’sgoodtoseeallofyou.Goodtohearnewvoicesagain."

           "Isthepelletworking?"

           "Fine.Herewego!"

           Theywalkedonupthehill.

           "Alice,comeseewho’shere!"

           Hathawayfrownedandbentintothehut."Alice,didyouhear?"

           Hiswifeappeared.Amomentlaterthetwodaughters,tallandgracious,cameout,followedbyaneventallerson.

           "Alice,yourememberCaptainWilder?"

           ShehesitatedandlookedatHathawayasifforinstructionsandthensmiled."Ofcourse,CaptainWilder!"

           "Iremember,wehaddinnertogetherthenightbeforeItookoffforJupiter,Mrs.Hathaway."

           Sheshookhishandvigorously."Mydaughters,MargueriteandSusan.Myson,John.Yourememberthecaptain,surely?"

           Handswereshakenamidlaughterandmuchtalk.

           CaptainWildersniffedtheair."Isthatgingerbread?"

           "Willyouhavesome?"

           Everyonemoved.Foldingtableswerehurriedoutwhilehotfoodswererushedforthandplatesandfinedamasknapkinsandgoodsilverwarewerelaid.CaptainWilderstoodlookingfirstatMrs.Hathawayandthenathersonandhertwotall,quiet-movingdaughters.